Nearly 8,000 Birmingham kids missed almost three weeks of school last year, figures show.

School attendance statistics reveal 7,621 kids were branded “persistent absentees” – meaning they missed at least 19 days of school.

This includes “authorised absence” such as illness or bereavement, as well as children playing truant.

Government figures for the autumn 2011 and spring 2012 terms also showed the city’s truancy rate was above the national average.

Some 1.3 per cent of all half days missed in Birmingham were due to unauthorised absence – meaning nearly 2,000 kids were bunking off on a typical day. This is compared to the national average of 0.9 per cent.

Birmingham City Council said it “robustly” supported head teachers in making sure time taken off school was “properly justified”.

Professor Fiona Church, executive dean of the Faculty of education, law and social sciences at Birmingham City University, said missing lessons could have a “damaging effect” on youngsters’ futures.

She said: “Obviously they fall behind with their work, but if they are not in school, they could be hanging around getting involved in silly behaviour, random acts of vandalism or more extreme behaviour.

“If a child is off on long-term due to illness or other reasons, then work can be planned, but those who are playing truant risk not developing social skills or learning to work in a routine.

“There’s also added stress for the teachers, and other children in the class, in that they are having to repeat themselves to help them catch up.”

Overall absence – including truancy and authorised absence for illness, bereavement and religious observance – equaled the national average of five per cent.

Local authority staff, police officers and head teachers can issue penalty notices of up to £60 to parents of children who miss school.

This rises to £120 if not paid within 42 days – and those who fail to cough up can find themselves in court.

A council spokesman said: “We want our children to have at least equal, and preferably better, opportunities for their future training and employment compared with other young people in the UK and in other countries.

“Good attainment at school requires good levels of attendance. We will work to make sure our attendance compares with the best across the country.”